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A rising voice in journalism and a graduate of Ebonyi State University, Ugochukwu Madu has been selected as one of the world’s top 100 young journalists to participate in the 2021 edition of the Future News Worldwide (FNW) Annual Summit, a prestigious international program organized by the British Council in collaboration with leading global media organizations.
Chosen through a highly competitive selection process, Madu’s achievement places him among a select group of journalists drawn from over 2,000 applicants spanning dozens of countries. As one of the few African delegates chosen, he will represent Nigeria at the two-day summit scheduled for July 14–15, 2021, which will be held virtually due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.
Future News Worldwide is an initiative run by the British Council in partnership with major international media organizations including the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC), Google, Reuters, The Herald, The Quint, and the UK’s leading journalism schools. The summit serves as a platform for young journalists to receive advanced training, mentorship and exposure to global best practices in journalism and media practice.
This year’s conference focuses on the theme, “Climate, COVID-19 and the Rise of Disinformation: How Journalism Can Best Serve a World in Crisis.” The program brings together editors, reporters and media innovators to deliver masterclasses, workshops and discussions designed to strengthen journalism in the face of global challenges.
Speaking to our correspondent, Madu said: “This is a huge honor for me. Being recognized on a global stage alongside other young professionals reaffirms my commitment to public-interest journalism and to using storytelling to confront the critical issues shaping our world, especially issues related to health misinformation.”
As part of the experience, Madu will receive specialized training in fact-checking, multimedia storytelling, and journalism ethics, while networking with international peers and senior figures from some of the world’s most influential newsrooms. Following the event, he will join the Future News Worldwide alumni network, which is a global community of young journalists working to uphold media integrity across regions.
Now officially recognized as a Future News Worldwide Delegate and Fellow, Madu adds this milestone to his growing list of achievements, including several academic honors and contributions to media development in Nigeria.
The British Council describes the initiative as one that “identifies, trains and connects the next generation of global journalists,” and notes that participation in the summit marks the beginning of continued collaboration and support among its alumni.
With this selection, Madu continues to distinguish himself as a promising voice in global journalism and an advocate for truth, accountability and social change.
